Frantic woman shot in Santa Monica flagging down car for help won't cooperate with police

SANTA MONICA - Police on Monday asked for the public's help in determining a man's motive for chasing a woman and allegedly shooting her after she flagged down a passing motorist on Pico Boulevard in Santa Monica.

The alleged shooter, identified as 31-year-old Waiverly Thomas of Colton, was taken into custody following the shooting that occurred near Santa Monica College about 5 p.m. Saturday, but the woman was not cooperating in the investigation, according to police.

The woman, whose name was withheld, appeared frantic as she flagged down a vehicle in an attempt to elude a man chasing her in the 1800 block of Pico, said Santa Monica police Sgt. Richard Lewis.

"A car stopped, she gets in, and just as the vehicle is driving away, a gunman walks up and fires several shots into the car," Lewis said. "The woman was wounded, but the motorist escaped injury."

The driver continued on Pico to Lincoln Boulevard, then stopped to call for help, he said.

"Other calls came in when the shooting occurred," Lewis said. "We did a perimeter and the suspect was caught about an hour and a half later, trying to leave ... in a vehicle."

The weapon was recovered, he said, but the motive for the shooting was still unclear. Police did not disclose a relationship, if any, between the suspect and victim.

Anyone with information about the case was asked to call Detective Daniel Larios at (310) 458-8937 or Sgt. Ira Rutan at (310) 458-8959.